China committed to developing Namibia – Xin

The Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Xin Shunkang, has expressed his country’s willingness to continue its support to Namibia in its endeavours to economically uplift its people.

Speaking yesterday when the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China donated N$42 974 to Iihongo Combined School in the Oshikoto Region, Shunkang said due to the excellent bilateral ties between the two countries, China remains committed in its support to Namibia to achieve its goals in the fight against poverty.

“To date we constructed the Omuthiya Hospital in Oshikoto Region, a primary school at Rietfontein in Omaheke Region and a secondary school in Windhoek, Katutura,” he said.

He said, apart from the abovementioned donations the Chinese government has also agreed to donate N$800 million for the upgrading of the road between Windhoek and Hosea Kutako Airport.

Ambassador Xin said diplomatic cooperation between Namibia and China has deepened over the past 25 years and the Chinese embassy is willing to render more developmental support.

The principal of Iihongo Combined School, Wilbard Ashikoto, commended the Chinese embassy for lending a helping hand and assured them that every cent of the money donated would be well spent and a record of expenditure would be forwarded to the embassy.

He, however, noted that there are still major challenges facing the school that need to be addressed, among them dilapidated classrooms and a lack of internet access.

“The lack of internet access, dilapidated classrooms and the [lack of] teachers’ accommodation remain among the challenges faced by the school,” he said.

The school has 365 leaners from pre-school to Grade 10.
The call for donations was an initiative of a former learner at the school, Wilhelm Amutenya, who approached the Chinese embassy for the donation.

The donation will be used for the construction of a fence around the school. Xin, on his part, said the Chinese embassy is also willing to introduce Mandarin language courses for free at Iihongo Combined School.
He further offered to sponsor up to 60 learners from Iihongo Combined School to come to Windhoek for a tour of the Chinese embassy.